Weekend Update: 21 Down...

This week's photo is a doozy...

Wait for it...






Say hello to the second half of pregnancy. I told you the chest is keeping up with the belly. I mean, really.

Baby girl is about as long as a carrot, and she's been stretching those little limbs to let mamma know she's the boss. She has eyelids and eyebrows now too. I am amazed at how much she changes from week to week. Hopefully I am a sufficient incubator.

I've taken to walking/hiking instead of running, since baby has taken hold of a nerve in my lower back and refuses to release. And the good news is, complete strangers have begun to stick me in the "pregnant" category. While at Costco, I grabbed a sample of some disgusting anti-oxidant drink to see how Reece would react to its brownish hue, and was promptly stopped by the sample-supervisor.

"WAIT! Aren't you expecting?"
"Why yes, yes I am."
"You really don't want to drink that. Give it back."

Thanks for saving the pregnant lady from the nasty liquid. And thanks a million times over for inducting me into the "pregnant" stage of pregnancy. So long "chubby girl" stage.

This week I learned about pregnancy acne. A giant zit the size of Montana formed on my chin, prompting a terrifying flashback to junior high. Good times. But to be honest, I'll take a mountain of acne over the first trimester puke parties.

This week I also experienced my first bout with the dreaded cankles. In what I am sure will become a favorite pastime of ours, Reece and I took turns pressing on my skin, then watching as a massive finger-shaped imprint remained for a few seconds. The only way to keep the bloat away (and to prevent the feet from resembling those of a baby elephant) is to avoid standing for long periods of time.

Cankles, acne and lower back pain aside... I am loving this stage of pregnancy. I am actually starting believe that a little girl will REALLY be coming home with us at the end of it all. And that, my friends, is an amazing realization.